I am reading Mark Patterson’s book, The Grave Robber, which takes a look at Jesus’ miracles or “signs” in the Gospel of John. The tagline of the book gives away the purpose of Batterson writing: “How Jesus can make your impossible possible.”

In his chapter on John 4:43-54, Batterson writes,

“My point? Some miracles take sweat equity. Your effort doesn’t make them happen, but your lack of effort can keep them from happening. In the words of Dallas Willard, “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action.” You cannot earn a miracle, but effort is part of the equation. You may have to hike twenty miles uphill, but your extra effort may be the catalyst for a miracle.

Are you willing to knock on 435 doors? Fill six stone jars? Hike twenty miles uphill?

Most of us follow Jesus to the point of inconvenience, but no further. We’re ore than willing to follow Jesus as long as it doesn’t detour our plans. But it was the willingness to be inconvenienced that defined the Good Samaritan. And that’s how he became someone else’s miracle. Most miracles don’t happen on Main Street. They happen off the beaten path, about twenty miles out of town.”

In the Gospel account, the Royal Official walked nearly 20 miles uphill to seek Jesus out for healing. The officials effort didn’t cause the miracle- but would it have happened if he stayed at home? Would it happened if he quit after walking 10 miles? The official was focused on seeking out Jesus- and in doing so put himself (and his sick son) in a place where a miracle could/would occur.

Are you in need of a miracle in your life? Rather than seeking a miracle- seek the One who is Lord of time and space and can do the miraculous in your life.